Hello all Wave/Hobie sailors and racers,

I have read most of this post and I see both sides. I grew up racing Prindle 16 and such from a very young age. The class was a semi open class. Open to any sail and sail maker as long as it measured in and any tramp maker/design as long as the boat weighed in. It did bring in professional sailors like Rick and the other professional sail makers. That always leads to a higher caliber of racing as each pro trys to win and sell more stuff.

It also has the possibility of turning off new sailors, but that was always addressed with "B" fleet, "C" fleet... Everyone has a chance to go home a "winner".

The bigger issue is that the Prindle class is dead and gone, but the Hobie class and many of the original boats live on. A big part of that is strict one design racing. All boats, new or old are in theory are equal. All of these classes have allowed changes over the years, but the changes are slow evolution, not lock stock and barrel changes.

The problem as I see it starts with the fact that the Wave was never intended to be a "racing" class boat. Changes at the factory either held cost, or made the boat better for the recreational sailor. That you all have made it such is cool. That you have also agreed to a set of rules and some open changes is understandable. What you may not see is that without your direct support (read this as money and purchases) there is no reason for the producing factory to support your efforts. It has to go both ways. Just as supporting your local dealer is key to keeping the local source open, supporting your manufacturing facility is also key.



I used to race Aqua Cats. They had really terrible dagger boards and rudders. We all used them. Some tried making better boards and blades. That was ruled and unfair advantage so we all sailed the ineffective blades. There were better options, but we all thought the level playing field was more important than pointing or speed.

I hope next time Hobie steps up to support the class by providing charter boats, that the class steps up to support that effort. It will be good for both sides in both the short and long term.

I did sail at HavaMega and dispite the no wind venue I had a great time. I am sure that you would have had a great time too.

Mike Hammond